The headline feature of the AirPods 4 may be active noise cancellation (ANC), but Apple has done well to improve the overall audio quality in addition to blocking environmental sounds. For the first time on the “regular” AirPods ANC is on the spec sheet, at least for one model, and there are a few key components that allow the earbuds to effectively cancel noise, even without fully sealing off your ears with a flexible tip. Specific changes to the AirPods 4 have also been made to enhance sound quality, a notable achievement for open design earbuds. The combination of a refined earbud shape, the H2 chip, and upgraded microphones work together for efficient noise cancellation. With a database of ear scans and data points, the tapered design and reduced proportions of the AirPods 4 ensure a better fit for more users, making the ANC technology less reliant on a complete seal. Enhanced microphones with lower noise floor and higher frequency bandwidth, along with computational audio powered by the H2 chip, provide a wider range of sounds for the ANC system to block. ANC and transparency mode are new additions to the regular AirPods, with sound quality comparable to that of the AirPods Pro. The repositioning of the driver in the AirPods 4 enhances overall clarity and reduces audio reflections, resulting in increased sound quality with deeper and fuller audio effects. The improvements to the AirPods 4 deliver a noticeable boost in sound quality compared to previous models, making them a worthwhile upgrade, even without opting for the ANC version.
